Answer to Question #89756 in Inorganic Chemistry for Madeline Valencia

Question #89756
How does antimony kill you? why is it toxic?
1
Expert's answer
2019-05-16T06:25:03-0400

Antimony poisoning, harmful effects upon body tissues and functions of ingesting or inhaling certain compounds of antimony. Such poisoning resembles arsenic poisoning.

Antimony poisoning has resulted from drinking acidic fruit juices containing antimony oxide dissolved from the glaze of cheap enamelware containers. Toxicity can also result from repeated exposure to antimony in medications, such as tartar emetic (antimony and potassium tartrate), used to induce vomiting and in treatment of helminthic and fungal infestations. The industrial use of antimony has not appeared to be associated with serious occupational poisoning. It is believed that the toxicity of antimony and of arsenic is due to the fact that in combination with enzymes (the organic catalysts of the cell) they interfere with cellular metabolism(like other heavy metals, the mechanism of toxicity of antimony is due to the binding of sulfhydryl groups with subsequent enzymeinhibition).

Sourses:

https://www.britannica.com/science/antimony-poisoning

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/antimony


Need a fast expert's response?

Submit order

and get a quick answer at the best price

for any assignment or question with DETAILED EXPLANATIONS!

Comments

No comments. Be the first!

Leave a comment

LATEST TUTORIALS
New on Blog
APPROVED BY CLIENTS